Hot Gossip: Imminent news on Tina Turner Musical

Who will play the legendary singer in Tina the Musical?

Rumours swirling round the West End this week is that a big announcement regarding the London production of the Tina Turner musical is imminent.

Directed by Mamma Mia!’s Phyllida Lloyd the highly anticipated production, currently titled Tina the Musical will follow in the footsteps of the 2013 Olivier Award-nominated musical Soul Sister which was based on the life of Ike and Tina Turner.

It’s reported that Britain’s Queen of Soul Beverley Knight (The Bodyguard, Memphis) has expressed an interest in the role, as has rising star Cynthia Erivo who recently won a Tony Award for the acclaimed Broadway production of The Colour Purple.

The musical is being developed by Stage Entertainment and has been written by Katori Hall, with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins.

The creative team also includes set and costume design by Mark Thompson, choreography by Anthony van Laast and musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck.

Tina Turner saw a workshop of the production late last year and was apparently bowled over by ability of the creative team to input heart and humour into a production that beautifully captures her life story.